Nanoweapons just might render humanity extinct in the near future--a notion that is frightening and shocking but potentially true. In Nanoweapons Louis A. Del Monte describes the most deadly generation of military weapons the world has ever encountered. With dimensions one-thousandth the diameter of a single strand of human hair, this technology threatens to eradicate humanity as it incites world governments to compete in the deadliest arms race ever. In his insightful and prescient account of this risky and radical technology, Del Monte predicts that nanoweapons will dominate the battlefield of the future and will help determine the superpowers of the twenty-first century. He traces the emergence of nanotechnology, discusses the current development of nanoweapons--such as the "mini-nuke," which weighs five pounds and carries the power of one hundred tons of TNT--and offers concrete recommendations, founded in historical precedent, for controlling their proliferation and avoiding human annihilation. Most critically, Nanoweapons addresses the question: Will it be possible to develop, deploy, and use nanoweapons in warfare without rendering humanity extinct?
"Nanoweapons describes the deadliest generation of military weaponry the world has ever seen and offers concrete recommendations for controlling their future use, thus avoiding global war and the end of humanity."--Provided by publisher.
This book will be about various aspects related to applications and use of knowledge of nanotechnology in promoting defense activities. The area in which scientists are focusing includes (i) nano-devices such as sensors, GPS & computers, chemical & biological weapons, nano-fabrics, bulletproof materials, nano-stealth coating, use of nanotechnology in various areas of aerospace. It is intended to cover available methodologies and understanding of technologies for these applications. Not only for destructive but also to improve medical and casualty, safety care for soldiers, and to produce lightweight, strong and multi-functional materials for use in body armour, both for protection and to provide enhanced connectivity will be covered.
Eric LaMont Gregory provides an eye-opening account of American foreign policy and how the decisions made today will influence the forces that propel America into the future. His international career began in the Middle East in the 1960s. Over the next 40-plus years, he was in Bosnia during the war; Rwanda before and after the genocide; Honduras after Hurricane Mitch; Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua during the Contra death squad era, and Afghanistan shortly after 9/11. He witnessed two famines in Ethiopia, conflicts in North, East, South and West Africa, as well as in the Middle East, and Central, South, and East Asia. Gregory is unswerving in his assessment of the way America carries out emergency humanitarian relief operations, stating that while the goodwill of the American people plays out on the world stage, all too often we are making enemies, not friends. The Ultimate Vanishing Act is an authoritative account of contemporary diplomacy and science. It is undeniably informative and a right riveting read. “Detailed, revealing, charming, funny, witty, compassionate, sensitive, adventurous, and seductive.” – Naji, author of My Invisible Empire
Countdown to Extinction: Navigating the Existential Threats That Could End Humanity is a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the critical risks that could define—or end—the future of human civilization. In a world increasingly shaped by rapid technological advancements, environmental degradation, and global interconnectedness, this book takes a deep dive into the most pressing existential threats of our time and examines how we can navigate them to secure a thriving future for all. Spanning a wide range of topics, Countdown to Extinction begins by laying the groundwork with an introduction to the fragility of human civilization and the concept of existential risks. The book then systematically explores specific threats, including the transformative power and peril of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the revolutionary potential and catastrophic risks of nanotechnology, and the unseen dangers posed by high-energy particle collisions. The narrative continues by examining the ever-present dangers of pandemics—both natural and engineered—and the ongoing threat of nuclear warfare, juxtaposed against the slow-burning crisis of climate change. It delves into cosmic hazards like asteroid impacts and supervolcanoes, the potential collapse of global ecosystems due to resource depletion, and the nightmarish scenarios involving rogue AI and cybersecurity failures. The book also addresses emerging risks associated with synthetic biology, economic collapse, and societal breakdown, while considering the unpredictable nature of "unknown unknowns." Each chapter is meticulously researched, combining scientific analysis with ethical considerations, historical case studies, and expert insights to paint a vivid picture of the potential futures we may face. Yet, Countdown to Extinction is not just about outlining dangers; it is equally a guide to mitigation and hope. The book offers a thorough discussion on global strategies for mitigating these risks, emphasizing technological safeguards, international cooperation, and the necessity of building societal resilience. It calls for the creation of a culture of awareness and preparedness, urging governments, businesses, and individuals to take responsibility and act decisively. The book concludes with a powerful call to action, reflecting on the imperative of addressing these risks and the role of human ingenuity and adaptation in creating a secure and sustainable future. Through detailed analysis and an engaging narrative, Countdown to Extinction challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions, recognize the gravity of the challenges ahead, and embrace the opportunities for transformative change. This is not just a book about survival; it is a manifesto for safeguarding humanity's future. It reminds us that while the risks are formidable, so too is our capacity to overcome them through collective action, innovation, and a deep commitment to the values that unite us all. The choices we make today will shape the course of history, and together, we can create a world that is secure, just, and sustainable for generations to come.
War at the Speed of Light describes the revolutionary and ever-increasing role of directed-energy weapons (such as laser, microwave, electromagnetic pulse, and cyberspace weapons) in warfare. Louis A. Del Monte delineates the threat that such weapons pose to disrupting the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction, which has kept the major powers of the world from engaging in nuclear warfare. Potential U.S. adversaries, such as China and Russia, are developing hypersonic missiles and using swarming tactics as a means to defeat the U.S. military. In response, the U.S. Department of Defense established the 2018 National Security Strategy, emphasizing directed-energy weapons, which project devastation at the speed of light and are capable of destroying hypersonic missiles and enemy drones and missile swarms. Del Monte analyzes how modern warfare is changing in three fundamental ways: the pace of war is quickening, the rate at which weapons project devastation is reaching the speed of light, and cyberspace is now officially a battlefield. In this acceleration of combat called "hyperwar," Del Monte shows how disturbingly close the world is to losing any deterrence to nuclear warfare.
Labeled either as the "next industrial revolution" or as just "hype," nanoscience and nanotechnologies are controversial, touted by some as the likely engines of spectacular transformation of human societies and even human bodies, and by others as conceptually flawed. These challenges make an encyclopedia of nanoscience and society an absolute necessity. Providing a guide to what these understandings and challenges are about, the Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Society offers accessible descriptions of some of the key technical achievements of nanoscience along with its history and prospects. Rather than a technical primer, this encyclopedia instead focuses on the efforts of governments around the world to fund nanoscience research and to tap its potential for economic development as well as to assess how best to regulate a new technology for the environmental, occupational, and consumer health and safety issues related to the field. Contributions examine and analyze the cultural significance of nanoscience and nanotechnologies and describe some of the organizations, and their products, that promise to make nanotechnologies a critical part of the global economy. Written by noted scholars and practitioners from around the globe, these two volumes offer nearly 500 entries describing the societal aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Key Themes - Art, Design, and Materials - Bionanotechnology Centers - Context - Economics and Business - Engagement and the Public - Environment and Risk - Ethics and Values - Geographies and Distribution - History and Philosophy - Integration and Interdisciplinarity - Nanotechnology Companies - Nanotechnology Organizations
"This book examines (1) how to overcome the existing, traditional approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance and cancer; (2) how to apply multiple mechanisms to target the cancer cells and microbes; and (3) how the nanomaterials can be used as carriers"--
As bad as they are, why aren't terrorists worse? With biological, chemical and nuclear weapons at hand, they easily could be. Jessica Stern argues that the nuclear threat of the Cold War has been replaced by the more imminent threat of terrorist attacks with weapons of mass destruction.
